"I believe that the prevention of HIV passing from mother to child is very important - we need a new generation who are not HIV positive. My hope is that within five years there will be no more HIV positive babies born here. That is my dream." Mathakane Metsing, Lesotho, Southern Africa
These powerful films and photos by photographer Gideon Mendel share the personal stories of six women in Lesotho. All are living with HIV but only some have benefited from services to prevent mother-to-child transmission of the virus (PMTCT). Find out more about the situation in Lesotho.
Every day, around 1,000 children are infected with HIV. Most do not receive the medicine they need. Take action to help develop child-friendly treatments.
Ntsiuoa Ralefifi, 29, with her baby daughter, Nthatisi Nkaota, at their home in Harom Hapi, Lesotho. Ntsiuoa has HIV, but her baby was born free of the virus thanks to UNICEF-supported PMTCT services.
Gideon Mendel/2007/UNICEF UK
Gideon Mendel/2007/UNICEF UK
The Blessing
Happy Day
Never Forget
Princess Nthatisi
Close to my Heart








